Thursday, May 17, 2012

How to Extract Juice From Pineapple Rinds and Cores

I found pineapple on sale so I bought 21. I canned them and had all the rinds and cores left, it seemed such a waste to just put in the compost pile. So I thought I would see if I could get some juice from the rinds. I was very pleased with what I got.


How to Extract Juice From Pineapple Rinds and Cores
I cut the cores into 2 to 3 inch chunks and cut the rinds in to quarters.
Then place the pineapple skins and cores in a pot large enough to hold everything.
Fill the pot with just enough water to cover the pineapple skins. Add about 2 cups of sugar for ever 8 pineapples ( you can add more or less depending on how sweet you want the juice to be ) I added the sugar to help extract the juice from the rinds.
Set the pot on your stovetop over medium heat. Cover the pot with its lid and bring the pineapple skins to a boil. I boiled mine for about 4 hours then turned off the heat and let sit a couple more hours( I was in a hurry, I think if I would have let it sit longer I would have gotten more juice.) Allow the pineapple skin juice to cool completely before straining. Hot liquid can splash during the straining process, causing serious burns.
Pour the contents of the pot through a strainer, collecting the liquid in a large bowl underneath. Discard the pineapple skins remaining in the strainer.
You can put the juice in the fridge to drink right away or you can can or freeze it. I canned mine as I had quite a lot.
To can it bring the juice to a boil and pour in to quart or pint jars and process in a water bath canner for 15 min. for pints and 20 min for quarts.
I got 7 quarts and 5 pints from 20 rinds not to bad for what would have been placed in the compost pile.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Measuring Equivalents

Here is an easy chart for measuring equivalents. I have this in the front of my cookbook, so I can quickly look up what I need.
 
 
 
 
Measuring Equivalents


1/2 Tablespoon = 1 1/2 teaspoon
1 Tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = half fluid ounce = 15 ml
1/8 cup = 2 Tablespoons = 6 teaspoons = 30 ml
1/4 cup = 4 Tablespooons = 12 teaspoons = 2 fluid ounces = 50 ml
1/3 cup = 5 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon = 16 teaspoons = 75 ml
1/2 cup = 8 Tablespoons = 24 teaspoons = 4 fluid ounces = 125 ml
2/3 cup = 10 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons = 32 teaspoons = 150 ml
3/4 cup = 12 Tablespoons = 36 teaspoons = 6 fluid ounces = 175 ml
1 cup = 48 teaspoons
1 cup = 16 Tablespoons
8 fluid ounces = 1 cup = 1/2 pint = 1/4 quart
1 pint = 2 cups = 16 fluid ounces = 1/2 quart
1 quart = 2 pints = 32 fluid ounces = 4 cups = 1/4 gallon
1/2 gallon = 2 quarts = 4 pints = 8 cups = 64 fluid ounces
1 gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 16 cups = 128 fluid ounces
16 ounces = 1 pound
Dash = less than 1/8 teaspoon
1/4 tsp = 1.25 mL
1/2 tsp = 2.5 mL
1 tsp = 5 mL
1 Tbs = 15 mL
1/4 cup = 50 mL
1/3 cup = 75 mL
1/2 cup = 125 mL
2/3 cup = 150 mL
3/4 cup = 175 mL
1 cup = 250 mL
1 quart = 1 liter

Monday, May 14, 2012

Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam

This is a very easy and good recipe. I don’t like to make it to chucky, so while it is cooking I use my stick blender to puree it a little bit. If you do this be very careful as the jam is very hot and can splatter.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam

4 Cups of crushed strawberries
8 cups rhubarb, cut in ½ inch pieces.
6 cups sugar

Place rhubarb in a 6 to 8 quart pan and pour 3 cups sugar over it. Let stand 3 to 4 hours. Add strawberries and remaining 3 cups of sugar, Stir mixture over low heat until sugar is dissolved increase heat to high, bring to a boil and cook to jelly stage (220 F.) approximately 20 to 25 minutes, stirring constantly. Fill sterilized half-pint of pint jars with the jam, leaving ¼-inch headspace. Wipe jars tops clean. Place hot lids on jam and screw bands on firmly. Process in a boiling water canner for 15 minutes.
 6 to 7 half pints, or 3 to 4 pints

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Homemade Fabric Softener

The girls have been saying they would like to use fabric softener again for the smell and the softness, but I just can’t bring my self to pay that high price for softener, so I did a little research. I found a lot of people use straight white vinegar but I wanted something that had a scent, I found one softener that uses cheap hair conditioner and vinegar. So I went to the dollar store and found some conditioner that smelled pretty good and made some, the girls love it I have to admit I like it to it makes the cloths softer ( I line dry and they tend to be a little stiff) and they have a nice scent. I Know it is not a very self-sufficient thing but sometimes you have to give a little and it is cheap to make.
  
Homemade Fabric Softener


3 cups warm water
1/2  cups white vinegar
1 1/2 cups conditioner
essential oil (optional.)

Direction: Pour all ingredients into a half-gallon container and stir. Don't shake or it will make an extreme mess! Add essential oils if desired and stir again!

To use: Add the same amount you would the store bought kind about 1/4 cup during the rinse cycle.